Austin, Texas, April 1, 2014:Following an unusual "double-secret" special legislative session, the Texas Legislature voted today to establish the first new county in the state since 1931, when Loving County became the 254th Texas County.So, move over Loving County; Friedman County, the 255th county, now becomes the "youngest county" in Texas.The Legislature named Friedman County in honor of "Kinky" Friedman, a Texas legend in his own mind.The newest county was formed from the southern half of Travis County, including the City of Austin, the Texas state capital and home of the University of Texas, the only area of the state deemed "weird" enough to be named after Kinky Friedman.Until April 1, Austin was the seat of Travis County, but with the historic vote to establish a new Texas county, Austin is now the seat of Friedman County.Don't worry, Travis County shrinks a little, but still exists, with a new county seat in the former city of Round Rock, renamed Dell, Texas by the legislation that established Friedman County.The decision to create a new county took many in the state by surprise, especially Kinky Friedman."I'm high as a kite," Friedman replied when asked about this honor."I'm also humbled by the thought that a Texas county will forever bear my name," the self-styled satirist confessed.Richard Samet "Kinky" Friedman(born November 1, 1944) is a country singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnistfor Texas Monthly.Like many men for whom Texas counties were named, Friedman was born in a state other than Texas, namely Illinois, known as the "land of Lincoln" and now, Friedman.His family moved to Texas when Kinky was a child.Friedman graduated from Austin High School in 1962 and from the University of Texas in 1966. During his freshman year at UT Friedman became known by the nickname "Kinky" because of his curly hair, not to mention his general weirdness.The man behind the newest Texas County, albeit it a woman, was the late Texas writer, Molly Ivins, who, shortly before her death in 2007, began a secret, behind the scenes campaign to establish a Texas County that would bear the name of her favorite musician, Kinky Friedman.

"What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority," wrote Ivins about her idea to create Friedman County."Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous," was Molly's motto for the campaign, which continued after her death under the leadership of Billy Arhos, a co-creator of the Public Television program “Austin City Limits,” and fan of all things Kinky.Arhos, a 1957 graduate of Rice University, where he was a basketball and baseball star, worked tirelessly to bring Molly’s dream to reality, such as it is: The result is Friedman County.

Author

Leonard G. Lane, Jr., AIAleonardlane@gmail.comI wasn't born in Texas but I got here as soon as I could. I'm an architect. And, a photographer on the side.I live in Houston, with my wife, Donna. Our favorite daughter, Hilary, recently passed the Texas Bar exam. She took the oath as an attorney in the historic Harris County courthouse on Friday, November 15, 2013.